Insider Guide: Los Angeles

A kid-friendly guide to Los Angeles, from our LA-local family travel expert.
By Mimi Slawoff

Family-Friendly Destinations

Why Go: A world-class destination, the City of Angels has so many diverse regions and attractions that each time you visit you will experience something new. LA has it all -- beaches, parks, mountains, ethnic neighborhoods and incorporated cities within the county. And of course there’s the glitzy side. With numerous TV, movie and music studios stationed here, there are also opportunities for sneak peeks and behind-the-scenes tours.

Here’s a sample of fun things to do with kids in Los Angeles, written by one of our own family travel expert and an LA local herself.

Loews Hollywood (1755 Highland Avenue, LA; 323-856-1200). Staying in Hollywood puts you in the middle of the action near the Hollywood Bowl (cool concert venue) and Universal Studios Hollywood.

J.W. Marriott (900 West Olympic Boulevard, LA; 213-765-8600). A rooftop pool, babysitting and free WiFi are the only family amenities, but the hotel’s downtown location is in the midst of sporting and entertainment venues.

Loews Santa Monica (1700 Ocean Avenue, Santa Monica; 310-458-6700). Steps from the beach, the Loews Loves Kids, and Teens Too program offers toys, books and more for ages under 10, and access to music download cards, Gameboys, DVD players and board games for those older.

Get Your Bearings

Located in southern California, LA is bordered by the Pacific Ocean, Orange County to the south and Ventura County to the north. It lies about 342 miles south of San Francisco and is divided into more than 80 districts and neighborhoods.

Best local tours:

Starline Tours Hop On, Hop Off. Grab a seat on a double decker bus and visit more than 50 sites or choose specific tours. Hop on and off the bus at any designated stop.

Paramount Pictures, Hollywood. Chances of spotting a celebrity are good during this classic two-hour golf-cart tour for ages 12 and older. See TV and film soundstages, although doors are closed during taping.

Whale watching and harbor cruises:

Spirit Cruises. See cargo ships, tankers and freighters from all ports of the world, sea lions and maybe dolphins on a one-hour cruise through the Los Angeles Harbor. On two-hour whale watching cruises (Dec. – March) you’ll most likely see gray whales and maybe orcas, blue whales and humpback whales. Keep your eyes open for pods of dolphins!

Dockweiler Beach near Marina del Rey. Although situated right beneath the LAX flight path (the jets are noisy, but fun for kids to watch), this is a surprisingly great place to swim, bask in the sun, fish by the jetties, or play volleyball. Later, gather around a fire pit and watch the sunset. It’s L.A.’s only beach with fire pits.

Santa Monica State Beach. Smack dab in the middle of beach culture, this wide stretch of sand anchors the Santa Monica Pier, home to an amusement park, carousel, aquarium and restaurants. There’s also a paved bike path.

Ferndell, Griffith Park. More than 50 species of ferns adorn the woodsy enclave in Griffith Park. This cozy area of the park has footbridges, a seasonal brook, a children’s play area and picnic tables. There’s also a small cafe and trailhead for the two-mile hike to the iconic Griffith Observatory.

Just minutes from a major freeway, this 190-acre park has a nature center, picnic area and several trails. The three-mile roundtrip Eaton Canyon Falls hike leads to a 30-foot waterfall. The Fire Ecology Trail is a short loop that winds through coastal sage scrubs, sycamores and oaks.

Best outdoor playground:

Shane’s Inspiration, Griffith Park. The universally- accessible playground includes an airplane with cockpit controls, slides with a bouncy landing pad, and a space shuttle. Amenities: restrooms and picnic tables.

Clover Park, Santa Monica. Little aviators have full control over the observation tower, flight seat, telephone tubes and flight graphics at this large park with big shaded trees, picnic tables, walkways and restrooms.

Walk on the Wild Side

Best zoo:

Los Angeles Zoo & Botanical Gardens. The beautifully landscaped zoo houses more than 1,100 mammals, birds, amphibians and reptiles. Check times for interactive animal shows and take a peek at the zoo’s newest residents in the nursery.

Best Aquarium:

Aquarium of the Pacific. It is home to more than 11,000 animals in three main galleries representing the diverse regions of the Pacific Ocean. More than 50 indoor and outdoor exhibits showcase fish, sharks, turtles, penguins, coral, kelp forests and more. Also, look into harbor tours, family festivals and children’s educational programs.

Cabrillo Marine Aquarium. Families that like hands-on projects will dig this aquarium, which offers programs, such as hatching grunion and beach clean-up days.

Wagon Wheel Ranch, Palos Verdes. Watch for tail hawks, birds and rabbits as you ride along the Palos Verdes bluffs boasting ocean views. In addition, hoof care and the proper way to bridle and unbridle a horse are demonstrated before and after your trail ride. One- and two-hour guided trails are suitable for all ages and weight.

California Science Center. The place is crawling with kids exploring themed, interactive exhibits about ecosystems, world of life, the universe, the massive Space Shuttle Endeavor and more. Free museum admission. Tickets are sold for IMAX and special exhibits.

Page Museum and La Brea Tar Pits. See 30-plus complete skeletons of fossil mammals and birds, watch scientists restore and catalog fossils in the paleontology laboratory, and tug on a handle to feel the asphalt that entrapped so many animals thousands of years ago. Outside, follow your nose to the tar pits, one of the world’s most important sources of Ice Age fossils.

The Getty. Young kids may be overwhelmed with the massive collection of European drawings, paintings and sculptures. Keep it simple. Pick up a family guide at the information desk and visit the Family Room, featuring activity coves and treasure-hunt walls. Choose a gallery or two, then kick back in the Central Garden, a creative maze of trees, flowers and water features.

Roscoe’s House of Chicken ‘N’ Waffles. Sounds like a strange combo, right? But sweet cinnamon-flavored waffles paired with crispy, southern-style fried chicken makes this a winner with families.

Pitfire Artisan Pizza. With several locations, it’s easy to find this kid-friendly pizza and pasta joint. Kid-size pizzas, mini mac & cheese, organic soft serve ice cream and pizza making parties make this a fun place to eat out with the family.

Mimi Slawoff of WriteMimi.com contributed this to MiniTime. She is a Los Angeles-based journalist and a seasoned family travel expert who explores the world with her three children and writes about their journeys.